ThinkAchieve Course Designation: Beyond the Classroom
ThinkAchieve is UTC’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) for SACS reaccreditation. The QEP focuses on the
development of student critical thinking skills. Experiential learning – learning through experience – is one way
to promote these skills. In order to recognize students who participate in experiential learning through classes
and faculty who offer such course sections, the Faculty/Staff Application to Offer Beyond the Classroom (BTC)
Course/Experience has been developed. Approved applications will result in a BTC designation being placed as
an attribute code in the course sections listing.
Experiential learning engages students beyond the classroom in projects that encourage them to apply their
knowledge and skills in a practical setting. For example, experiential learning may involve students in a
community setting such as business, nonprofit, community service, or government, encouraging them to
examine, apply, practice, and reflect. Experiential learning may also involve study abroad, internships, and
capstone and culminating experiences. The essential component of experiential learning that is common among
experience types is that students engage in critical reflection before, during, and after the experience.
Students who successfully participate in designated courses can earn points toward a Think Achieve Experiential
Learning Graduation Distinction, including a designation on their official University Transcript and recognition at
UTC’s Commencement Ceremony. To see complete awards opportunities for students, please visit:
http://www.utc.edu/think-achieve/beyond/index.php.
Faculty who successfully apply for designation of a course will be designated as Beyond the Classroom Faculty.
Additionally, Beyond the Classroom Grants are available for participating faculty. For more information on both
of these opportunities, see http://www.utc.edu/think-achieve/
Eligibility, Designation Cycle, Selection Criteria and Process
The Faculty/Staff Application to Offer Beyond the Classroom (BTC) Course/Experience is open to individuals
and small teams of UTC faculty and staff. Collaboration across departments and with community partners is
encouraged. All part-time and full-time faculty and staff are eligible to apply. Experiences offered by staff
equivalent a semester long course section may also be submitted using the Application for Non-Academic
Credit Bearing Experience.
Applications are considered by an inter-disciplinary committee using the criteria shown in the rubric on the
next page. The applications for Fall Designation are due on February 20, for Spring Designation the due date is
October 1. Applicants will be notified within a week of these dates of the status of their application.
Applications should be submitted to Bengt-Carlson@utc.edu.
Faculty/Staff Application to Offer Beyond the Classroom (BTC) Course/Experience Evaluation Rubric: approved
applications must fully achieve all criteria in the rubric.
Criteria
Linkage of course learning goals
to ThinkAchieve student learning
outcomes
Does Not Achieve
There is little or no
connection of course
learning goals to
ThinkAchieve student
learning outcomes
Somewhat Achieves
Connection of course
learning goals
described for 1 or 2
ThinkAchieve student
learning outcomes
Adequately Achieves
There are clear
connections of course
learning goals to 3
ThinkAchieve student
learning outcomes
Evidence of critical reflection
plan
No description of
evaluated reflection
products included in
application.
Description for plan
includes pre, ongoing
and post project
reflection
Description for plan
includes evaluated
pre, ongoing and post
project reflection
Intentional, authentic
experiential learning is a
component of this project.
For more information see:
http://www.nsee.org/standardsand-practice
Description of project
does not include
intentional and
authentic experience
Description includes an
example of intentional,
authentic experience
with limited relation to
the discipline
Project’s offering of
intentional and
authentic experience
based knowledge of
the discipline is
thoroughly described
Adheres to the Definitions and
Additional Criteria Sections of
Application
Description of
experience does not
match with definition
and does not meet
additional criteria
Description of
experience either
adheres to definition or
meets additional
criteria
Description of
experience adheres
closely to definition
and fully meets
additional criteria